William Russell Willcox (April 11, 1863 – April 9, 1940) was an American politician from

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

. On January 1, 1905, he became the Postmaster of New York City. By 1909 he was chairman of the New York Public Service Commission. He served on the

Railway Wage Commission The Railway Wage Commission was a United States federal agency established in 1918 during World War I within the United States Railroad Administration. History The commission was authorized by President Woodrow Wilson on January 18, 1918 to ex ...

in 1918.

Biography

He was born on April 11, 1863, in Smyrna, New York, to Thomas L. Willcox.His New York Red Book biography uses the year "1863" but his passport application from June 14, 1924 uses "April 11, 1861". He attended the state normal school in

Brockport, New York Brockport is a village in the Town of Sweden, with two tiny portions in the Town of Clarkson, in Monroe County, New York, United States. The population was 7,104 at the 2020 U.S. Census. The name is derived from Heil Brockway, an early settler. ...

. He later attended the University of Rochester. He served as principal of the

Webster Academy Webster may refer to: People * Webster (surname), including a list of people with the surname *Webster (given name), including a list of people with the given name Places Canada *Webster, Alberta *Webster's Falls, Hamilton, Ontario United Stat ...

and Spring Valley High School. He then attended Columbia Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1890. Around 1901 Mayor Seth Low appointed him to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation where he served for two years as president of the commission. In 1904, he married Martha J. Havemeyer, descendant of Mayor William Frederick Havemeyer. On January 1, 1905, he became the Postmaster of New York City. He was appointed by Theodore Roosevelt. On July 1, 1907, he became

chairman The chairperson, also chairman, chairwoman or chair, is the presiding officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office, who is typically elected or appointed by members of the grou ...

of the New York Public Service Commission. Willcox served as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1916 to 1918. He encouraged Republican congressmen during votes for the 19th Amendment Willcox resigned after being appointed to the

, also known as the U.S. Railroad Commission in 1918. Others appointed by the Woodrow Wilson administration were U.S. Secretary of the Interior Franklin Knight Lane,

Charles Caldwell McChord Charles Caldwell McChord (December 3, 1859 – November 24, 1937) was an American lawyer and legislator who served as chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission until 1926. He was born in Springfield, Kentucky, to Robert C. and Laura (Hynes) Mc ...

of the Interstate Commerce Commission and D.C. chief justice

J. Harry Covington James Harry Covington (May 3, 1870 – February 4, 1942) was a United States representative from Maryland and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. He founded the major law firm of Covington & Burling. Education and ca ...

. The commission investigated railroad wages. He became a widower in 1939. He died on April 9, 1940, a Southside Hospital in

Bayshore, New York Bay Shore is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Islip, New York, United States. It is situated on the South Shore of Long Island, adjoining the Great South Bay. The population of the CDP was 29,244 at the time of the 2020 ...

References

External links

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William Russell Willcox
at Political Graveyard The Congress of the United States SurrendersThe Frisco-Man
-> {{DEFAULTSORT:Wilcox, William R. 1863 births 1940 deaths Columbia Law School alumni New York (state) lawyers New York (state) Republicans New York City Department of Parks and Recreation New York Public Service Commission People from Chenango County, New York Postmasters of New York City Railway Wage Commission Republican National Committee chairs University of Rochester alumni